Hybrid tea rose plant named ‘MEICATESS’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘MEICATESS’, is disclosed. The new variety forms attractive, very double dark pink colored flowers. Attractive glossy foliage is formed, which contrasts beautifully with the blossoms. An erected growth habit is displayed. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘MEICATESS’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATIONS

This application claims priority to Plant Breeders' Right ApplicationNumber 2021/1798, which was filed at Community Plant Variety Office inthe European Union on Jul. 6, 2021, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of hybrid tea rose plant of the present invention wascreated by controlled breeding at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was an unnamed seedling (not patented) from the cross betweenthe ‘GOLDEN UNICORN’ variety (not patented) and the ‘DELGE’ variety (notpatented). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new varietywas an unnamed seedling (not patented) from the cross between the‘MEIMALYNA’ variety (not patented) and the ‘HARLEX’ variety (notpatented).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:(‘GOLDEN UNICORN’ x ‘DELGE’) x (‘MEIMALYNA’ x HARLEX’)

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France by a number of routes, including eyebudding, softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, and semi-hardwoodcuttings. Asexual propagation by the above-mentioned techniques in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France has shown that the characteristics of thenew variety are stable and are strictly transmissible by asexualpropagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new varietyundergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the new variety of rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) exhibits huge romantic flowers,    -   (b) forms dark pink colored flowers, and    -   (c) emits a strong floral fragrance.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant isparticularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguishedfrom its ancestors. More specifically, the unnamed seed parent (‘GOLDENUNICORN’ x ‘DELGE’) emits a very weak fragrance, whereas the new varietyemits a strong floral fragrance. In addition, the unnamed pollen parent(‘MEIMALYNA’ x HARLEX’) displays red colored flowers, whereas the newvariety displays dark pink colored flowers. Moreover, the new varietycan be readily distinguished from other similar non-parental varieties.For example, the ‘MEIPREHMYR’ variety (not patented) displays redcolored flowers, whereas the new variety displays dark pink coloredflowers.

The new variety has been named ‘MEICATESS’.

The first offer for sale of the new variety was May 9, 2021 in France bythe inventor or another who obtained the new variety directly orindirectly from the inventor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph of the drawing shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of thischaracter, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. Therose plants of the new variety were approximately three years of age andwere observed during July while budded on their own roots and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions in centimetersare indicated at the bottom of the drawing.

Element 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot.

Element 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the opening ofthe sepals.

Element 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals.

Element 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals.

Element 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening.

Element 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—observe.

Element 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—reverse.

Element 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—observe.

Element 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—planview—reverse.

Element 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the stamens and pistils.

Element 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the pistils (stamens removed).

Element 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem.

Element 13—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—planview—upper surface.

Element 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—planview—under surface.

Element 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—planview—upper surface.

Element 16—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—planview—under surface.

Element 17—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets—planview—upper surface.

Element 18—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets—planview—under surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2001 edition), London,England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has beenadded to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. Thedescription is based on the observation of three-years-old specimens ofthe new variety during July while budded on their own roots and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Botantical classification: Rosa hybrida cultivar MEICATESS.-   Commercial classification: Hybrid Tea Rose Plant.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Erected.        -   Height.—Typically 50 to 80 cm on average.        -   Width.—Typically 30 to 40 cm on average.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: commonly near Green Group 137C strongly            covered with near Greyed-Orange Group 165A. Adult wood:            commonly near Green Group 137C.        -   Length.—From the crown to the flower is approximately            between 50 to 80 cm on average.        -   Diameter.—Approximately between 0.7 to 1.1 cm on average.        -   Young shoots.—Anthocyanin coloration: commonly near            Greyed-Purple Group 183A.        -   Thorns.—Configuration on adult stems: upright and elongated            on the upper surface and concave on the under surface. Long            prickles — quantity: commonly 9 thorns per 15 cm long young            stem and commonly 18 thorns per 15 cm long adult stem. Long            prickles — base shape: narrow obovate. Long prickles — size:            commonly between 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm in length on young stems            and commonly between 0.5 cm to 0.9 cm in length on adult            stems. Long prickles — color on young stems: commonly near a            color between Yellow-Green Group 144B and Yellow-Green Group            144C covered with near Greyed-Orange Group 166B at the            pointy half. Long prickles — color on adult stems: commonly            near a color between Yellow-Green Group 144B and            Yellow-Green Group 144C. Small prickles — quantity: absent.        -   Internode.—Numbers on the entire branch: commonly 10 to 14.            Length: commonly between 2.0 cm and 8.0 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   General appearance.—Dense, dark with a glossy aspect.        -   Number of leaflets.—3, 5, 7; most often 5.        -   5 leaflets leaf.—Length: approximately 15.5 cm on average.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: approximately 5.6 cm on average.            Width: approximately 4.1 cm on average.        -   New foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near Green Group            135A covered with anthocyanin coloration of near            Greyed-Purple Group 183A. Under surface color: commonly near            Green Group 137D coved with anthocyanin coloration of near            Greyed-Purple Group 184B.        -   Adult foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near a color            between Green Group 137A and Green Group 135A. Under surface            color: commonly near Green Group 137A. Anthocyanin            coloration: absent.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape.—Tip: cuspidate. Base: obtuse.        -   Glossiness of upper surface.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Thick.        -   General appearance.—Oval.        -   Serration.—Small and single.        -   Undulation on the margin.—Weak.        -   Venation.—Color is commonly near a color between Green Group            143A and Green Group 143B and pattern is imparipinnate.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color of upper surface: commonly near a            color between Green Group 143A and Green Group 143B. Color            of under surface: commonly near a color between Green Group            143A and Green Group 143B. Texture: upper surface is smooth,            under surface is smooth. Rachis of terminal leaflet: length            is approximately 5.6 cm on average and diameter is            approximately 0.1 cm on average.        -   Petioles.—Upper surface: no glandular. Under surface: no            prickles. Color of upper surface: commonly near a color            between Green Group 143A and Green Group 143B. Color of            under surface: commonly near a color between Green Group            143A and Green Group 143B. Length: approximately 4.2 cm on            average. Diameter: approximately 0.1 cm on average.        -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 2.0 cm on average. Width:            approximately 0.6 cm on average. Color of upper surface:            commonly near a color between Green Group 143A Green Group            143B. Color of under surface: commonly near a color between            Green Group 143A and Green Group 143B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers per stem.—Typically 1 flower per stem.        -   Lastingness of the bloom.—On the plant: approximately 10            days on average. In vase: approximately 15 days on average.        -   Bud.—Shape: globular. Size: medium. Length: approximately            2.0 cm on average. Width: approximately 2.5 cm on average.            Color as calyx breaks: upper surface: commonly near Red            Group 52A, basal spot is very little and near Yellow Group            3B. under surface: commonly near Red Group 53C, basal spot            is very little and near Yellow Group 3C.        -   Sepals.—Number: commonly 5. Length: approximately 3.0 cm on            average. Width: approximately 1.1 cm on average. Shape: at            the top: slightly elongated and narrow, at the base: abroad.            Extensions: absent or very weak extensions. Upper surface:            texture: tomentous. color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group            144B with Green Group 137B on the edges, covered with silky            fur near White Group 155D. Under surface: texture: smooth.            color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A with Green            Group 137A on the edges.        -   Receptacle.—Color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A.            Length: approximately 0.4 cm on average. Width:            approximately 0.9 cm on average. Surface: smooth. Shape:            funnel shaped.        -   Peduncle.—Length: approximately 8.3 cm on average. Width:            approximately 0.4 cm on average. Surface: smooth. Color:            commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Flower.—Average size when open: approximately 14.0 cm.            Shape: flat cup shaped. Shape when viewed from above: round.            Shape of the upper part of the flower profile: flat. Shape            of the lower part of the flower profile: flat. Type: very            double. Number of petals under normal conditions: typically            between 150 to 250 petals. Petals: shape: rounded. texture:            soft. length: commonly between 3.2 cm to 5.4 cm. width:            commonly between 2.3 cm to 4.4 cm. Undulation of the petal:            very weak. Reflexing of the petal: absent. Petal incision:            absent. Petal arrangement: imbricated with some petaloids            (look like deformed half petals). Petal drop: petals drop            off cleanly before drying. Fragrance: strong floral            fragrance. Color when opening: basal spot on the upper            surface: very small, commonly near Yellow Group 3C. upper            surface: commonly near a color between Red-Purple Group 58C            and near Red-Purple Group 58D. basal spot on the under            surface: very small, commonly near Yellow Group 3D. under            surface: commonly near a color between Red-Purple Group 57C            and Red-Purple Group 57D. Color of the open flower: basal            spot on the upper surface: small, commonly near Yellow-White            Group 158C. upper surface of the flower: commonly near            Red-Purple Group 64D. basal spot on the under surface:            small, commonly near Yellow-White Group 158C. under surface            of the flower: commonly near Red-Purple Group 64C. Anthers:            number is 10 on average, length is approximately 0.3 cm on            average, width is approximately 0.1 cm on average,            coloration is commonly near Yellow Group 13B and the under            surface is near Yellow Group 13C with a little touch of near            Red-Purple Group 58B, and arrangement is regular around            styles. Filaments: length is approximately 0.4 cm on average            and coloration is commonly near Yellow Group 5A. Styles:            length is approximately 0.7 cm on average, coloration is            commonly near White Group 155B at the base with the upper            half near Red-Purple Group 58B, and number is approximately            110 on average. Stigmas: size is approximately 0.1 cm on            average and coloration is commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group            161C. Pollen: not available at this stage. Hips: not            available at this stage.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Glossy and strong.        -   Blooming.—Early in the season, typically from May to October            in France and intermittent.        -   USDA hardiness zone.—Zone 5.        -   Tolerance to disease.—Good, and particularly against Powdery            Mildew (Podosphaera pannosa).

The new ‘MEICATESS’ variety has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘MEICATESS’characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a)exhibits huge romantic flowers, (b) forms dark pink colored flowers, and(c) emits a strong floral fragrance; substantially as herein shown anddescribed.